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Swiss council to allow geothermal energy projects along major highways

Swiss council to allow geothermal energy projects along major highways Glovelier, Jura/ Switzerland (source: Geo-Energie Suisse)
Carlo Cariaga 19 Sep 2022

The Swiss Federal Council has approved an amendment to the National Roads Ordinance that will allow renewable energy projects, including geothermal, along major national highways.

The Swiss Federal Council has made a revision to the National Roads Ordinance that will allow the development of renewable energy projects on free spaces along major national highways. Although primarily geared toward solar PV development, the new provision also applies to wind and geothermal energy projects. The revised text will go into force on October 1, 2022.

The Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) requires that third parties using the areas market the electricity produced independently.

The announcement was made following investigations made on the potential of solar PV along national roads. FEDRO is already using some of this potential for its own electricity consumption. A tender has already been announced for the construction of solar PV systems along the major highways and thoroughfares. There is no announcement yet on whether there will be a similar tender for geothermal projects.

Source: Swiss Federal Council